AP: Americans Boarding Cruise Ship in Beirut [View All]

[Eugene]

Americans Boarding Cruise Ship in Beirut

The Associated Press
Wednesday, July 19, 2006; 4:31 AM

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Americans trying to leave Lebanon began boarding a cruise ship
in Beirut on Wednesday that will take them out of the war-torn country to Cyprus.

Women carrying backpacks and clutching their children boarded the Orient Queen
after bidding tearful farewells to relatives.

More than 1,000 Americans are expected to depart Lebanon on Wednesday, U.S
Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman told The Associated Press.

<snip>

The large-scale evacuation of U.S. nationals begins following criticism over delays
that officials said were caused by security concerns and logistics.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/19/AR2006071900249.html

According to a report on Tuesday, U.S. officials said that 2,000
could be evacuated Wednesday.